Products Page
- Boat Building Classes
- Boat Building Materials
- Boat Building Plans & Instructions
- Boats
- Pakboats – Puffin Recreational Folding Kayaks
- Kayak & Canoe Accessories
- Pakboats – XT Touring Folding Kayaks
- PakCanoes – Folding Canoes
Rushton Rowboat Plans
Plans for the station molds to build a beautiful 3-4 person ultralight, skin-on-frame rowboat. This beautiful design will give you a versatile, very fast and extremely sea-worhty boat.It has seats which make it comfortable for people who are not as flexible as they were, and, at around 45lbs,is still easily manageable to put on top of your car.
Please note – these plans come FREE when you buy the Instructional DVD which explains how to use them and is also loaded with boat-building tips and techniques.
One-person open canoe plans
Plans for the station molds to build a beautiful one person ultralight, skin-on-frame open canoe. The finished boat weighs about 20lbs, is 10.5 feet long and tough as nails. It will safely carry an adult and a small child (or dog), and it is designed with the centre of gravity low, to keep the boat upright and its occupants safe and dry! It has a pivoting backrest which adjusts to your every move and provides a relaxing and comfortable paddling experience! Great for exploring.
This canoe is our version of Rushton’s famous “Wee Lassie”.
These plans come FREE when you buy the Instructional DVD which explains how to use them which is also loaded with boat-building tips and techniques.
Two-person open canoe plans
Plans for the station molds to build a beautiful 2 person ultralight, skin-on-frame open canoe. The finished boat weighs around 33lbs and is 14.5 feet long. Good for 2 adults and one small child (or dog).
These plans come FREE when you purchase the Instructional DVD which explains how to use them and is also loaded with boat-building tips and techniques.
Instructional DVD – Build Your Own Ultralight Skin-on-Frame Canoe
This easy to follw step by step video will take you carefully and clearly through every stage of building a beautiful ultralight skin-on-frame boat.
It lists and describes the equipment and materials you will need, leads you through the building of the molds, the construction of the frame, covering it with the skin, varnishing and putting in the finishing touches. It also equips you with tips and techniques learnt over many years of boat-building experience. It enables a complete novice to build a boat, but even the seasoned carpenter will find it indispensable!
Using the plans included with the dvd you can build a one or two person canoe, or a three to four person rowboat.
If you choose the View Online option you will receive a link to a page of 12 videos totalling 1 hour and 50 minutes including plans for 1 or 2 person canoes and a 3-4 person rowboat.
If you choose the Hard Copy option you will receive the link and a dvd in the mail containing the same video and plans. This makes a great gift. (price includes shipping)
Updating…
- Boat Building Classes
- Boat Building Materials
- Boat Building Plans & Instructions
- Boats
- Pakboats - Puffin Recreational Folding Kayaks
- Kayak & Canoe Accessories
- Pakboats - XT Touring Folding Kayaks
- PakCanoes - Folding Canoes
One person canoe / open kayak

Ultralight one person skin-on-frame canoe - beautiful, super tough, safe and durable.
This boat weighs about 20lbs, is 10.5 feet long and tough as nails. It is stable and will safely carry an adult and a small child (or dog). It is as easy for a child to handle as an adult. The tumblehome on the boat makes it very difficult to capsize - it is designed to stay upright and keep its occupants safe and dry! It has a pivoting backrest which adjusts to your every move and provides a relaxing and comfortable paddling experience! Great for exploring.
Like all our boats they are carefully lashed together by hand giving them the distinctive and captivating Dreamcatcher look.
Two Person Canoe

Two person ultralight canoe
This canoe is 14.5 feet long, approximate weight 33 lbs. It will carry 2 adults and a small child (or dog). It has 2 pivoting backrests which adjust with your movement.
Like all our boats they are carefully lashed together by hand giving them the distinctive and captivating Dreamcatcher look.
This boat comes with or without a covered deck.
Rushton Rowboat
This elegant rowboat is versatile, very fast and extremely sea-worthy. It has seats which make it comfortable for people who are not as flexible as they were, and, at around 45lbs and 14,5 feet, is still easily manageable to put on top of your car.
Like all our boats they are carefully lashed together by hand giving them the distinctive and captivating Dreamcatcher look.
- Boat Building Classes
- Boat Building Materials
- Boat Building Plans & Instructions
- Boats
- Pakboats - Puffin Recreational Folding Kayaks
- Kayak & Canoe Accessories
- Pakboats - XT Touring Folding Kayaks
- PakCanoes - Folding Canoes
Canoe Kit
Everything you need except the wood - we recommend sourcing your own wood locally in order to save shipping costs and kit cost - what to buy is explained in the DVD.
Select your required boat type below.
The kit includes all the following materials:
- 1 instructional step by step DVD on how to build an ultralight boat.
- 3 boat plans (solo canoe, double canoe, rowboat)
- (one person canoe kit has 12' of ballistic nylon skin) (2 person canoe kit has 16').
- 1 length of white nylon string to sew the ribbons to the stem.
- 1 roll of lashing (enough for two boats)
- 33m of double-sided tape
- 1 bag of zip ties
- 1 japanese utility saw
- 4 copper ferrules
- Screws for thwarts
- 4 sets of caps and washers for the thwarts
- 36 #8 x 1" wood screws
- 40 #8 x 5/8" wood screws
- 1 bottle of glue
- 72 canoe tacks
- 2 logos and thread and small needle
- 30' of piping
- 2 needles
- We're always at the other end of the phone if you need help!
Ballistic Nylon Skin
Just select the 1 foot option and change the quantity. We wont cut it up into 1 foot lengths!
- Boat Building Classes
- Boat Building Materials
- Boat Building Plans & Instructions
- Boats
- Pakboats - Puffin Recreational Folding Kayaks
- Kayak & Canoe Accessories
- Pakboats - XT Touring Folding Kayaks
- PakCanoes - Folding Canoes
Instructional DVD – Build Your Own Ultralight Skin-on-Frame Canoe
This easy to follw step by step video will take you carefully and clearly through every stage of building a beautiful ultralight skin-on-frame boat.
It lists and describes the equipment and materials you will need, leads you through the building of the molds, the construction of the frame, covering it with the skin, varnishing and putting in the finishing touches. It also equips you with tips and techniques learnt over many years of boat-building experience. It enables a complete novice to build a boat, but even the seasoned carpenter will find it indispensable!
Using the plans included with the dvd you can build a one or two person canoe, or a three to four person rowboat.
If you choose the View Online option you will receive a link to a page of 12 videos totalling 1 hour and 50 minutes including plans for 1 or 2 person canoes and a 3-4 person rowboat.
If you choose the Hard Copy option you will receive the link and a dvd in the mail containing the same video and plans. This makes a great gift. (price includes shipping)
Individual Boat Building Classes

Receive the supervision and guidance of an experienced boat builder as you build your own beautiful skin-on-frame boat of choice. No previous experience necessary.
Price does not include the boat kit - tuition only.
Winter Boat Building Special Package
There's no time like the present to build your own beautiful, tough, ultralight, hand-crafted skin-on-frame canoe. Especially when we've knocked the price down by $250! Book now for your 20 hour winter class, which includes the supervision, tuition, all materials and equipment needed to create your own canoe, and go boating all summer long, every summer!
Bring a friend or a family member to help – it’s fun! You’ll be surprised how easy it is.
No experience necessary! Hand tools used only.
Valid until February 28th 2012 only.
Price is for a one man open canoe, contact us to enquire about other models.
Boat Building Groups

GET A GROUP OF PEOPLE TOGETHER TO LEARN HOW TO BUILD A BOAT AND YOU GET THE BOAT FREE!
Brian Chandler will teach a group of people how to build a boat for $900. At the end of the class the boat is yours. So, for example, if you get 6 people for the class and charge them each $150 you get a free boat. If you get 9 people for the class, you can charge them $100 each and get a free boat!
This is a limited time offer and applies only in Vancouver, BC. If you want the same deal elsewhere, just add Brian's travel and accommodation costs to the $900. Contact us to arrange your free boat today!
Teaching beginners how to build a boat is one of the great joys of boat building. Dreamcatcher boats are built on the K.I.S.S. principle (keep it simple stupid). These are ideal projects for the beginner boat builder as well as the advanced craftsman.
The Free Lassie (based on J. Henry Rushton's Wee Lassie) can be built in one weekend by a novice and yet they are beautiful, durable, impressive boats. This is a wonderful project for a parent and child, school group, club event, summer camp, team building or corporate event, or even just for adults who want to get themselves out on the water but have doubts and fears as to their abilities and skill.
Under Brian Chandler's easy and informal guidance, you will be taught the principles of boat building along with a mystique destroying and problem solving attitude to achieve your final goal -- a beautiful self-styled and completed boat.
Before you know it, you will be engaged in building your own canoe or kayak, hands on and marveling at your own newfound skill. You'll be enrolled in the project to such an extent that Brian's role will be relegated to providing background encouragement only.
You'll also learn to:
- Trust your own judgement.
- Use a handsaw to cut accurate compound angles with ease.
- Fair lines and curves, and
- Use your own unique creativity and sense of esthetics.
In this fun and informative class, Brian will supply you with all the encouragement and support you need to get the job done.
- Boat Building Classes
- Boat Building Materials
- Boat Building Plans & Instructions
- Boats
- Pakboats - Puffin Recreational Folding Kayaks
- Kayak & Canoe Accessories
- Pakboats - XT Touring Folding Kayaks
- PakCanoes - Folding Canoes
KayakSailor Sail Rig for Kayaks and Canoes
The Kayaksailor™ is designed to transform your boat into a high performance, sailing, paddle craft. Now performance sailing is easy because everything is set up for you. The remarkable patented design uses the exclusive Magic Track™ mast step, enabling the sail to be instantly raised or lowered from a seated position. An ultra efficient, fully battened sail, balanced with precisely foiled retractable lee boards, gives amazing upwind performance . This undeniable efficiency allows the boat to slip through the wind with ease. Forward rig placement allows for paddling and bracing while under sail. Materials are of the highest quality, and are designed to withstand harsh marine environments.
With 1.6 square meters of sail area, this rig has the power to impress. Because of its higher center of effort, this rig works best with sit-on-tops, tandems and large paddlers. It weighs 10 lbs/4.5kg,measures 86"/214.4cm high and can accommodate boats up to 37"/94cm in width. It transforms heavy boats into lively cruisers and can be used on touring boats in very light breezes.
Easily attached to Dreamcatcherboats kayaks and canoes and Pakboats.


When attached to the Dreamcatcherboats solo canoe - you end up with a high performance sailing canoe weighting less than 35lbs altogether!
Product Details
All of the aluminum has been bright dipped polished with a thick anodized coating for superior corrosion resistance. Plastic components a high quality Delrin for increased strength and lubricity. The window size has been enlarged for improved visibility and the luff sleeve widened for effortless sail rotation. We have increased the sail draft in the lower panels for maximizing light wind performance, tweeked the balance of the rig for improved rudderless sailing and have included tell tales to assist you in finding the perfect sail trim. In addition, we have upgraded the webbing straps with ribbed webbing to eliminate slipping and enlarged the carry bag and sail cover for ease of use.
Details include: compact design and attention to detail, integrated downhaul/ boom vang, sail reefing, tool less disassembly for easy transport, precisely foiled leeboards, custom sail cover, cool travel bag and mounting kit
Features:
- Fiberglass reinforced leeboards
- Polished anodized aluminum spars and body
- UV stabilized components
- Stainless steel fasteners
- Premium urethane coated ripstop sailcloth from Challenge®.
- High tech cordage from FSE/Robline®, Samson®, and New England Ropes®
- Performance sailing equipment from Harken®, Ronstan®, and RWO®
- Spring loaded CamLock buckle system for easy attachment to hull
- High density foam padding on main body tube to protect your boat
- UV resistant custom sail cover and carry bag
- Mounting Kit
Dimensions:
The length of the main body tube is 44.5"/135.25cm
The length of the rig from the front of the main body tube to the back of the boom, with the sail raised, is 67"/170.2cm
The distance between shroud rings is 21"/53.3cm
Maximum distance between leeboards is 37"/93.9cm
Minimum distance between leeboards is 23"/58.4cm
Distance from the center of the cross tube to the front of the main body tube is 33.5"/85cm
Distance from the center of the cross tube to the rear of the main body tube is 11"/28cm
Please note - shipping and handling is not included in the price. They will be charged uon arrival.
- Boat Building Classes
- Boat Building Materials
- Boat Building Plans & Instructions
- Boats
- Pakboats - Puffin Recreational Folding Kayaks
- Kayak & Canoe Accessories
- Pakboats - XT Touring Folding Kayaks
- PakCanoes - Folding Canoes
Puffin Saco

The Saco has a convenient open hull that will not get in the way of your fishing and an optional deck with a cockpit large enough to make it easy to get in and out of the kayak. It is 12 ft long and lightweight (only 20 pounds). The Saco has been upgraded with new, very attractive fabrics and a unique self supporting deck. It is fast and tracks well.

(approved by the North American Fishing Club)

Puffin Saranac


The Saranac is a lightwieght 15 ft folding kayak for one or two people. The new Saranac hull and deck fabrics are very attractive and give the kayak a sporty new look. Optional Saranac decks offer one or two cockpits that can support spray skirts, making this kayak as versatile as it is good looking. Leave the decks behind for fishing convenience. Use the double deck for a day trip with a friend, or take the solo deck for a couple of weeks of camping.the Saranac will take it all in stride.
The Saranac comes standard without decks. The newly designed self supporting double deck can be purchased for $265 and the single deck for $195
- Boat Building Classes
- Boat Building Materials
- Boat Building Plans & Instructions
- Boats
- Pakboats - Puffin Recreational Folding Kayaks
- Kayak & Canoe Accessories
- Pakboats - XT Touring Folding Kayaks
- PakCanoes - Folding Canoes
Pakboats XT-15 Solo Folding Kayak


The 23 inch beam and moderate volume makes it a great kayak for day tripping or a few days of camping. Its speed makes miles easy, and great stability lets you relax and enjoy the ride. This is a proven travel kayak.
XTs come with far more flotation built in than most other kayaks, and unlike almost all other kayaks, XTs have the flotation placed along the sides where it does most good. The XTs have 3 separate inflatable air bladders on each side for a total of 6. You can puncture a couple and still have more flotation left than most other kayaks.
Because the deck support is built into the deck itself, the hull is completely open - making the XTs incredibly easy to load. The Velcro seal around the deck eases assembly greatly - and the water stays out of the boat! The new Pakboats cockpit is longer to make it easier to get in and out of the kayak, and it has built-in corners that grab the spray skirt so it is easy to get on.
XT kayaks are very fast, and over-all paddling performance is exceptional. A new stiff frame structure lets us build longer efficient hulls with consistent rocker, and a multi-chine cross section further enhances performance. The moderate depth of the hulls minimizes wind effects and gets the gunwales out of the way of your hands for comfortable paddling.
Length: 15 ft (455 cm), Beam: 23 in (58 cm), Depth: 10 in (25 cm), Capacity: 300 lbs, 135 kg, Weight: 39 lbs (17.7 kg), Packed Bag Size: 33 in x 12 in x 20 in
Please note that shipping and handling is NOT INCLUDED in the price, and will be charged on receipt of the boat.
Pakboats XT-17 Folding Solo Kayak

XT-17 Solo has the capacity to handle gear for extended trips and can accommodate large paddlers. Its paddling performance makes long days easy. The solid stability lets you relax and be comfortable in the XT-17. D-rings on each side simplifies installation of deck rigging.
Length: 17 ft (520 cm), Beam 24 in (60 cm), Depth 10 in (25 cm), Capacity: 330 lbs, 150 kg, Weight: 44 lbs, 20 kg, Packed Bag Size: 33 in x 21 in x 14 in
Pakboats XT-16 Double Folding Kayak

XT-16 Double is great for day trips and a couple of nights of camping. Its stability makes almost anybody feel secure, and its performance makes miles easy. But the XT-16's most unique feature may be that you can replace the deck and turn it into a high-volume solo touring kayak. There is no need to compromise on trim and paddle from the stern cockpit. With the optional solo deck you have a perfectly balanced kayak every time.xt-16-going-fast
Length: 16 ft (485 cm), Beam: 26 in (66 cm), Depth: 10 in (25 cm), Capacity: 460 lbs 210 kg
Weight: 46 lbs (20.9 kg)
Packed Bag Size: 33 in x 21 in x 14 in
- Boat Building Classes
- Boat Building Materials
- Boat Building Plans & Instructions
- Boats
- Pakboats - Puffin Recreational Folding Kayaks
- Kayak & Canoe Accessories
- Pakboats - XT Touring Folding Kayaks
- PakCanoes - Folding Canoes
PakCanoe 170

PakCanoe 170 is the wilderness work horse. It will carry enough gear for a full scale expedition. Because of its larger size, it spreads the load over a larger surface area and will float in shallower water.
beam 38" / 96 cm, Depth 14" / 36 cm, Weight 56 lbs / 25.5 kg, Length 17' / 520 cm, Capacity 910 lbs / 415 kg

